Aristophanes (c. 446–386 BCE) Flashcards
Who is Aristophanes?
An ancient Greek playwright known as the Father of Comedy.
When was Aristophanes born?
Around 446 BCE.
How many of Aristophanes’ plays survive today?
Eleven plays.
Which genre of comedy is Aristophanes famous for?
Old Comedy.
What is Aristophanes’ play ‘Lysistrata’ about?
A group of women who withhold sex to end the Peloponnesian War.
In what play does Aristophanes satirize the philosopher Socrates?
The Clouds.
What is the subject of Aristophanes’ play ‘The Frogs’?
A comic exploration of literature where Dionysus travels to the underworld.
Which historical event deeply influenced Aristophanes’ works?
The Peloponnesian War.
What role did satire play in Aristophanes’ works?
It was used to criticize political and social issues of Athens.
How did Aristophanes influence later comedy and satire?
He laid the groundwork for the use of satire in drama, influencing playwrights like Shakespeare and Molière.
What are two festivals where Aristophanes competed with his plays?
City Dionysia and Lenaia.
What was the historical period during which Aristophanes lived?
The Classical period of ancient Greece.
Why was Aristophanes’ play ‘The Clouds’ controversial?
It mocked Socrates and contributed to his negative public image.
How is Aristophanes’ legacy remembered today?
As a founding figure of Western comedy and satire, and his plays are still performed and studied.
Fill in the blank: Aristophanes’ work helped shape the role of ____ in the arts.
Satire.
